New Home Buyer's Guide To Radon Concerns

26 September 2016
 Categories: Environmental, Blog

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As a new homeowner, it's important that you have your home tested for radon. It's a radioactive gas that has no color, no odor, and no taste, so it's nearly impossible to detect without the proper testing equipment. If the radon test uncovers the presence of the gas in your home, you need to have it addressed right away. A radon mitigation specialist can help you deal with it.

What Exactly Is Radon Mitigation?

Radon mitigation is a process of reducing the concentration of radon in your home through ventilation or other steps. It's usually done by professional mitigation teams to ensure success.

How Can Radon Be Mitigated?

There are many different methods for reducing radon in your home. In most cases, it will depend on what type of foundation your house has. For example, slab foundations can benefit from underground pipe systems and an exhaust fan, which will draw the radon away from the foundation. This is also a viable option for crawlspace foundations. This will help to prevent radon from entering your home at all.

In basement foundations, you'll want to seal any cracks in the floor and the walls. This is vital, because these areas provide areas for radon to seep into the house. In addition, you'll want to have some kind of exhaust system set up in the house to draw radon out.

It's important to note, though, that any radon mitigation system will require a follow-up periodically. As your home and the soil beneath it settle, that can open up additional avenues for the radon to seep into the house. Once you've identified its presence once, you'll need to stay on top of testing for it later.

Why Hire A Radon Mitigation Team?

Since radon is a known carcinogen, it's essential to keep it out of your house. Prolonged exposure can increase your risk of developing many types of cancer. Most mitigation systems are highly effective within 24 hours of implementation. The sooner you address it, the better.

In addition to family safety and long-term health, you'll also want to address radon concerns if you're planning to flip the property you just bought. If the prospective buyer tests the home and finds radon before the closing, it may cost you the sale.

The more proactive you can be about your home's safety, the better. Addressing the presence of radon is one of those important considerations. Now that you know not only what it is but how it should be dealt with, you can make the choice that best fits your situation and your needs. For more information, contact a radon mitigation company such as American Home Radon Services Inc.